In Part 2 of his Brighton Fringe picks, Brian Butler encounters Muscleman, a queer ventriloquist, and a faded cabaret star
In Part 2 of his Brighton Fringe picks, Brian Butler encounters Muscleman, a queer ventriloquist, and a faded cabaret star
Peter Groom, who is in the early years of his acting career, is a formidable performer. As I said when I reviewed his solo show in Edinburgh last year, this is not an impersonation of Marlene Dietrich – Peter Groom IS Marlene.
True to their stage name, the nine female voices that make up this Brighton singing group, are combined to fight back against the useless, disloyal and – in this show – absent men of the world. The members have gathered up for a committee meeting upstairs at the Rialto Theatre, and in between reading adverts, lonely hearts letters and looking at ridiculously thin models in their women’s magazines, they sing a wide variety of compositions by the likes of Bacharach, Abba and Schubert.
While the very good-looking student/shelf filler at Foyles bookshop, Adam, (played by John Black ) goes on a new date, the dye is cast – and not in a good way. It’s pretty clear early on in Natalie Audley’s multi-scene drama that Brett, the American advertising executive is far too career-centred and absorbed with his own greatness to have lasting relationships.
The play begins straight into the action with this challenging in your face piece of fresh writing and superb acting. A classic bit of thrilling chilling fringe theatre.
